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Looking forward to #EDIC21 today and virtually presenting our short paper on the outcomes of our online national peer support programme in Scotland in collaboration with @beatED and @NHS_Lothian CAMHS thanks to @scotgovhealth funding.
SHARED is the moderated email peer support service where young people can email volunteer peer befrienders 1-3 times a week. Over 150 young people have been paired, and to date over 2300 emails have been sent. http://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/my-area/shared
We are seeing significant improvements in participants self esteem, self efficacy, well-being , social connectedness, impact of the eating disorder and individual goals by 4months. 32% of young people were not in services highlighting engagement potential of digital peer support
ECHO is a telephone peer support service for parents and carers supporting someone with an eating disorder, offering weekly peer coaching over a 6 month period. http://beateatingdisorders.org.uk/echo
Over 50 pairings have taken place over the past two years and over 600 calls/ over 360 hours of support. We are still collecting efficacy outcome data but the qualitative feedback is highlighting the importance and value of talking to someone who understands their experience
“Receiving peer support was a lifeline in the darkest of times.... it felt like I had a friend who really understood me and was there by my side which made a world of difference to what was a very lonely and isolating experience”. ECHO participant.
Thanks to the awesome team at @beatED @BeatED_Scotland including @CPriceBeatED @CatherineW1801 NHS Lothian CAMHS including @SJ_Taylor_ @aimogenpeebles @Cathyjr11 and catherine varnell, evaluation by @DrHelenSharpe @EatingResearch and funding from @scotgovhealth @haughey_clare
But most important thank you to the amazing participants and @beatED peer support volunteers for giving up their time and expertise and without them this project would not have been possible!
